Political Participation and Civic Engagement Among Latinos in South Bend

Study of how Mexican immigrants in South Bend participate politically, either in the United States or Mexico or both. Seeks to fill a gap in the current knowledge base while providing a different viewpoint on their assimilation and transnational behavior. Adding a political dimension to current research is a step towards a more holistic picture of the Mexican community in South Bend. Actions in the political sphere provide an additional framework to describe and measure both assimilation into American life and transnational identification with home communities. Whether or not immigrants seek U.S. or dual citizenship, what they expect from politicians, how they participate in Mexican politics and what they know about American politics are all indicators of both how they are assimilating and how they retain ties with Mexico.